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UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS, 

Agricultural  Experiment  Station. 


URBANA,  APRIL,  189?. 


BULLETIN  NO.  39. 


THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE    AND    SOME    PLANTS    THAT 
ARE  MISTAKEN   FOR  IT. 


INTRODUCTION. 

The  rapid  and  wide  distribution  that  the  Russian  thistle  has  attained 
during  the  past  few  years,  together  with  the  great  damage  that  it  is 
said  to  have  caused,  has  given  it  a  prominence  quite  beyond  that  of  any 
ordinary  weed  pest.  The  recent  discovery  that  the  plant  was  already 
an  invader  in  northern  Illinois  has  much  increased  the  interest  manifested 
in  this  state.  To  add  to  the  information  of  the  general  reader  concern- 
ing this  plant  and  to  aid,  as  far  as  possible,  in  preventing  the  further 
spread  of  so  common  a  foe  are  the  chief  aims  of  this  publication.  In 
taking  up  the  subject,  it  will  best  serve  our  aims  to  consider  first  the 
relationships,  in  a  botanical  way,  of  the  plant. 

DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  PLANT. 

Systematic  relations.  Although  usually  in  this  country  called  the 
Russian  thistle,  this  plant  has  applied  to  it  a  variety  of  common  names, 
such  as  Russian  cactus,  Russian  tumbleweed,  prickly  saltwort,  Tartar 
thistle,  Hector  weed,  wind  witch,  leap-the-field,  etc.  Scientifically  it  is 
known  as  Salsola  Kali  Tragus  (L.)  Moq.  It  is  one  of  the  members  of 
the  goosefoot  family.  In  this  state  the  best  known  representative  of 
the  family  is  the  lamb's-quarters,  common  in  waste  places;  while  of  the 
cultivated  plants,  the  beet  may  be  mentioned  as  the  most  prominent. 
The  common  tumbleweed  and  the  pigweed  of  our  gardens,  although 
near  relatives,  belong  to  a  different  family.  About  half  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  goosefoot  family  occurring  in  eastern  United  States  are 
importations  from  other  countries,  and  it  is  with  these,  naturalized  resi- 
dents that  the  Russian  thistle  belongs.  Altogether  about  eighty  genera 

87 


BULLETIN    NO.    39.  [April, 

belong  to  this  family,  and  these  are  represented  in  various  parts  of  the 
world  by  between  five  and  six  hundred  species.  The  genus  Salsola, 
of  which  our  plant  is  a  member,  is  said  to  embrace  forty  species,  of 
which  only  one  has  been  found  native  in  the  United  States.  This  is 
the  common  saltwort  found  along  our  eastern  coast  and  occasionally 
introduced  inland.  To  this  plant  botanists  have  given  the  name  Salsola 
Kali,  and  the  Russian  thistle  is  now  considered  as  a  variety  of  it  called 
Tragus. 

Life  history.  Let  us  now  turn  more  directly  to  a  study  of  the 
plant,  tracing  it  hastily  through  its  annual  steps  of  development  from 
the  germinating  seed  to  maturity.  The  matured  fruit  of  the  plant  con- 
tains but  a  single  seed,  and  is  peculiar  in  that  the  calyx,  which  forms  its 
covering,  is  broadly  winged  on  the  middle  of  each  of  the  five  lobes  with 
a  conspicuous  spreading  appendage,  while  the  lobes  form  a  sort  of  cen- 
tral beak  covering  the  remains  of  the  styles.  Pulling  off  the  dry,  mem- 
branous calyx,  one  finds  the  obconical  seed  body,  which  is  about  one- 
sixteenth  of  an  inch  in  diameter  at  the  upper  end.  The  top  is  some- 
what depressed,  and  shows  by  a  slight  elevation  at  the  center  the 
remains  of  the  styles.  The  embryonic  plant  entirely  fills  the  seed, 
being  coiled  spirally  within  it.  The  primary  stem,  or  caulicle,  and  the 
first  pair  of  leaves,  or  cotyledons,  are  all  easily  made  out. 

In  the  spring  the  seed  germinates  by  bursting  off  its  covering  and 
by  uncoiling  and  elongating  this  primary  stem  and  its  pair  of  leaves. 
The  caulicle  elongates  considerable,  forming  a  very  slender  red  stem. 
Soon  the  development  of  the  root  is  shown  at  the  lower  end  by  the 
appearance  of  the  root  hairs,  and  then  other  cylindrical  linear  leaves  are 
developed  gradually  at  the  growing  point  between  the  first  pair.  Next 
branching  begins  from  the  stem.  The  growth  at  first  is  slow,  and  the 
leaves  are  borne  rather  closely  together.  While  young  the  plants  are 
quite  succulent,  and  the  soft  fleshy  leaves,  though  tipped  with  their 
spines,  are  not  obnoxious. 

After  the  plant  has  grown  slowly  for  some  time,  varying  with 
-season  and  locality,  it  gradually  loses  its  succulent  character,  the  leaves 
and  stems  becoming  somewhat  rigid  by  the  abundance  of  mineral  matter 
gained,  and  by  the  proportional  loss  of  water.  Drier  weather  favors  a 
rapid  development,  and  with  it  the  stems  lengthen  and  the  floral 
branches  with  their  short  spine-tipped  bracts  are  further  developed. 
The  normal  leaves  are  linear  bodies  approaching  somewhat  the  shape 
and  size  of  Norway  spruce  leaves.  These  fall  off  in  time.  The  bracts 
appearing  on  the  floral  branches  are  shorter  (about  ^  to  i^  of  an  inch) 
and  are  expanded  into  a  sessile  winged  base,  so  that  they  have  a  some- 
what triangular  shape.  At  maturity  they  are  quite  rigid,  and  thus  form 
the  objectionable  feature  of  the  plant,  as  they  are  spine-tipped.  These 
bracts  are  grouped  in  clusters  of  threes,  arranged  numerously  around 
the  branches  in  well  developed  plants.  The  lower  of  the  three  occu- 
pies the  position  of  the  normal  leaf,  and  with  the  other  two  laterally  in 


I&95']  THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE.  89 

its  axil  forms  a  well  protected  place  for  the  single  flower  enclosed  by 
them.  The  flowers  are  small,  lacking  the  petals  of  most  flowers,  but 
with  the  rose-colored  calyx  well  developed,  and  with  five  stamens  and 
two  styles. 

The  seeds  are  not  matured  in  this  state  apparently  until  the  latter 
part  of  September  or  later.  If  the  conditions  for  development  have 
been  favorable,  we  find  large  bushy  plants,  some  attaining  a  diameter  of 
six  feet  and  a  height  of  two.  If,  however,  the  plants  are  crowded  or 
late  in  germinating,  they  remain  more  slender  or  are  more  straggling, 
and  do  not  develop  into  so  large  plants.  After  the  plants  have  begun  to 
mature,  they  become  striped  on  the  stems  and  bracts  with  rose-red  lines. 
Later  in  the  fall  the  stems  become  twisted  near  their  roots,  so  that 
eventually  they  are  broken  loose.  In  the  winter  the  dead  plants  show 
no  sign  of  the  purple  striping. 

Identification  of  the  plant.  A  good  many  mistakes  in  calling  other 
plants  the  Russian  thistle  have  been  made.  The  plant,  however,  has 
certain  marked  features  that  readily  serve  to  distinguish  it  from  any 
other  weed  occurring  in  this  state.  The  most  prominent  of  these  may 
here  be  repeated. 

1.  In  the  first  place  the  leaves  alone  are  sufficient  to  distinguish  it. 
Instead  of  having  the  normally  flat  blades  that  most  leaves  possess,  its 
leaves  are  nothing  more  than  needle-shaped  bodies  one  or  two  inches 
long  by  about  one  twenty-fifth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  are  provided 
with  a  small  spiny  tip.      When  young  the  leaves  are  soft  and  juicy. 

2.  With  older  plants  the  ultimate  or  flowering  branches  are  pro- 
vided with  shorter,  rigid  leaves  having  somewhat  expanded  bases.   Each 
of  these  leaves   has  two  similar  lateral  bracts,  or  leaves,  in  its  axil,  so 
that  the  three  short,  somewhat  triangular  bracts  serve  as  a  convenient 
place  for  the  flower,  and  when  the  seed  is  developed  it  is  enclosed  rather 
securely  between  the  bracts  and  the  stem.     These  bracts    are   rather 
numerous  on  the  stem,  spreading  out  at  nearly  right  angles. 

3.  The   fruit  is  peculiar  in  that  at  maturity  it  is  still  tightly  en- 
closed by  the  five  parts  of  the  calyx,  each  of  which  is  winged  on  the 
back  with  a  spreading  appendage.     The  lobes  of  the  calyx  also  meet  in 
the  center  above  the  fruit  in  a  sort  of  beak. 

4.  The  seed  is  characterized  by  the  embryo,  or  young  plant,  which 
entirely  fills  it.     This  embryo,  which  consists  of  a  slender  stem  and  two 
green  linear  leaves,  is  coiled  spirally,  so  that  it  gives  the  seed  an  obconical 
shape.      These  parts  can  be  made  out  by  soaking  the  seed  in  water,  if 
dry,  and  then  carefully  pulling  it  apart  with  needles. 

5.  The  rose-red  streaking  of  the  plants  as  they  approach  maturity, 
although  common  with  other  members  of  this  family,  is  also  striking. 

Comparison  of  Russian  thistle  'with  saltwort.  As  was  stated  at 
first,  the  Russian  thistle  is  now  regarded  as  a  variety  of  the  species  of 
saltwort  found  native  along  our  eastern  coast.  When  first  reported  in 
Dakota,  it  was  thought  by  botanists  to  be  this  saltwort.  The  variety  is 


9O  BULLETIN    NO.    39.  [April, 

a  native  of  southern  Russia,  and  at  that  time  had  never  been  reported 
in  the  United  States.  Mr.  J.  N.  Rose,  of  the  Division  of  Botany, 
Washington,  was  the  first  to  determine  the  Dakota  specimens  as  belong- 
ing to  the  variety,  reporting  this  in  a  paper  read  before  the  American 
Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Science,  in  August,  1891. 

The  saltwort,  Salsola  Kali,  seems  to  be  somewhat  variable,  two  or 
three  other  varieties  having  been  associated  with  it.  In  fact,  the  varia- 
bility of  the  plant  is  such  that  European  specimens  of  the  species  that 
are  in  the  herbarium  of  the  University  of  Illinois  correspond  more  in 
general  appearance  with  the  variety  as  found  here  than  they  do  with 
specimens  of  the  species  from  the  coast  of  this  country.  This  tendency 
to  vary  may  lead  to  some  confusion  of  the  species  and  variety  in  this 
country  when  they  become  inhabitants  of  the  same  locality.  While  the 
coast  form  is  said  never  to  become  an  obnoxious  weed  where  now  found, 
if  introduced  in  favorable  localities  in  the  West  it  might  possibly  develop 
into  one. 

The  general  appearance  of  the  living  plants  seems  to  be  their  most 
constant  point  of  difference.  From  an  examination  of  a  few  pressed 
specimens,  our  saltwort  seemed  to  be  a  coarser  plant  than  the  variety. 
Mr.  L.  H.  Dewey  gives  the  following  points  of  difference  between  the 
two  forms,  the  characters  given,  however,  should  not  be  considered  as 
constant  in  all  cases.  He  says:  "  The  variety  Tragus  differs  from  the 
typical  form  of  Salsola  Kali,  which  is  common  along  the  Atlantic 
coast,  in  the  following  characters:  The  leaves  of  the  mature  plant  are 
very  little  longer  than  the  leaf-like  bracts  which  they  subtend,  while  in 
the  typical  form  of  the  species  they  are  generally  two  to  four  times  as 
long.  The  calyx  is  membranaceous  and  nearly  always  bright  rose- 
colored,  and  the  wings  on  the  backs  of  the  calyx  lobes  are  much  larger 
than  the  ascending  lobes,  while  in  the  typical  form  the  calyx  is  coria- 
ceous and  usually  dull  white  or  only  slightly  rose-colored,  and  the  wings 
are  thick,  comparatively  narrow,  and  less  prominent  than  the  ascending 
lobes.  The  species  itself  is  less  bushy  in  habit  and  less  rigid  at 
maturity." 

DISTRIBUTION  OF  THE  PLANT. 

Means  of  distribution.  Nature  has  rather  liberally  provided  the 
Russian  thistle  with  means  for  the  dissemination  of  its  seeds.  This  fact, 
taken  together  with  the  great  number  of  seeds  that  some  of  the  plants 
produce,  and  the  protection  afforded  the  plant  by  its  spiny  leaves, 
accounts  in  a  great  measure  for  the  vigor  with  which  the  weed  has 
usurped  certain  territory  and  spread  to  such  an  alarming  extent  over  the 
country.  As  has  been  previously  stated,  the  stems  late  in  the  fall 
become  twisted  at  their  bases.  This  twisting,  with  the  help  of  the  wind, 
eventually  tears  the  plants  free.  With  their  bushy,  compact  form,  the 
plants  are  admirably  adapted  to  be  carried  by  the  wind  rolling  over  the 
ground.  Thus,  as  the  seeds  become  loosened,  they  are  scattered  over  a 


1895-]  THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE.  9! 

much  greater  territory  than  those  of  many  plants.  Again,  the  winged 
condition  of  the  covering  is  such  that  it  may  aid,  by  means  of  the  wind, 
the  further  distribution  of  the  seed.  Prof.  C.  S.  Crandall  states  that  in 
Colorado  irrigating  ditches  have  been  active  means  in  spreading  the 
plant  in  some  places. 

Besides  these  natural  means,  the  plant  has  had  an  active  helper  in 
man.  Obnoxious  weeds,  like  some  animals,  follow  man  in  his  travels. 
In  this  case  the  railroad  has  been  the  most  important  factor  in  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  pest,  especially  in  its  advance  eastward.  Plants  adher- 
ing to  the  trucks  of  trains,  seed  carried  in  the  manure  of  stock  cars, 
grain  seeds  brought  from  infected  localities,  all  have  been  common 
means  of  introduction. 

Distribution  in  foreign  countries.  The  United  States  is  not  alone 
a  sufferer  from  this  plant.  It  has  long  been  known  as  a  foe  in  southern 
parts  of  European  and  Asiatic  Russia.  The  species  Salsola  Kali,  from 
which  possibly  it  is  not  always  distinguished,  is  found  on  sandy  soil 
scattered  over  Europe,  as  well  as  in  Asia,  Australia,  and  North  and 
South  America. 

Distribution  in  America.  According  to  the  best  authorities  the 
plant  was  introduced  into  the  United  States  about  1873,  at  Scotland, 
Bonhomme  county,  South  Dakota.  This  county  has  a  settlement  of 
Russian  Jews  who  originally  came  from  an  infected  region  in  southern 
Russia.  It  is  thought  that  the  plant  was  imported  by  them  through 
impure  flax  seed  brought  from  their  native  home.  From  this  point  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  state,  and  possibly  from  others,  the  pest  at  first 
gradually  and  later  rapidly  spread  until  now  it  has  been  reported  in 
seventeen  states,  and  in  Manitoba,  Ontario,  and  Quebec,  Canada.  Some- 
thing of  the  present  distribution  of  the  plant  may  be  gained  from  the 
following  notes,  gathered  chiefly  from  the  publications  of  the  govern- 
ment and  the  various  experiment  stations. 

SOUTH  DAKOTA,  introduced  about  1873;  now  found  over  the  greater  part  of  the 
state,  in  some  places  causing  abandonment  of  cultivated  fields. 

NEBRASKA,  found  as  early  as  1888,  probably  introduced  earlier;  now  occurring  in 
over  thirty  counties. 

IOWA,  reported  in  1888;  now  found  in  a  number  of  widely  separated  localities. 

NORTH  DAKOTA,  noticed  in  1888  or  earlier;  now  spread  considerably  over  the 
state,  being  especially  bad  in  several  counties. 

MINNESOTA,  introduced  at  least  as  early  as  1891;  now  reported  from  many  locali- 
ties, especially  along  railroads. 

WISCONSIN,  introduced  probably  previous  to  1890  when  first  noticed;  now  found 
in  widely  separated  parts  of  the  state. 

INDIANA,   first  found  in   1890;   now  occurring  in  at  least  three  counties,  being 
abundant  in  places  at  Illinois  line  near  Lake  Michigan. 

COLORADO,  noticed  in  1892  first;  in  1894  reported  from  seventeen  counties,  being 
very  abundant  in  places. 

KANSAS,  in  1894  reported  as  occurring  in  six  counties. 

MONTANA,  reported  by  Dewey  as  having  one  infected  locality  in  1894. 

WYOMING,  for  1894  given  by  Dewey  as  having  two  infected  localities. 

IDAHO,  reported  by  Dewey  in  1894  as  having  the  plant. 


92  BULLETIN    NO.    39. 

CALIFORNIA,  credited  now  with  a  single  locality. 

MICHIGAN,  in  1894  reported  as  having  the  plant  in  several  localities. 

OHIO,  first  found  in  1894  along  a  railroad  in  one  county. 

NEW  YORK,  now  reported  by  Dewey  as  having  the  plant. 

MANITOBA,  reported  as  having  the  plant  the  past  season  as  a  new-comer. 

ONTARIO,  given  by  Dewey  as  now  possessing  the  plant  in  two  localities. 

QUEBEC,  now  credited  by  Dewey  with  a  single  locality. 

The  distribution  of  the  plant  is  shown  graphically  by  the  map 
accompanying  this  bulletin.  The  map,  which  is  by  Mr.  L.  H.  Dewey, 
has  been  revised  by  him  for  use  here. 

Distribution  in  Illinois.  The  Russian  thistle  has  existed  in  this 
state  during  a  much  longer  period  than  has  been  supposed.  Owing  to  the 
confusion  of  specimens  occurring  in  the  vicinity  of  Chicago  with  the 
saltwort  of  the  Atlantic  coast,  the  Russian  thistle  was  not  reported  in 
this  state  until  the  summer  of  1894.  The  ^rst  mention  of  the  plant  as 
such,  so  far  as  has  been  found,  is  that  made  by  Professor  L.  H.  Pam- 
mel  in  the  Orange  Judd  Farmer  of  July  28,  1894,  in  which  he  calls 
attention  to  the  finding  of  specimens  at  Turner  by  Mr.  G.  Carver. 
The  plants  were  collected  by  Mr.  Carver  about  June  2oth.  On  the 
I4th  of  August  of  the  same  summer  the  writer  discovered  about  forty 
plants  growing  along  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Northern  Railroad  at 
Polo,  at  which  time  the  plants  were  reported  as  the  first  found  in  the 
state.  Shortly  after,  specimens  were  received  at  this  Experiment  Station 
from  St.  Charles.  All  these  collections,  however,  have  been  ante- 
dated by  the  collections  from  the  lake  shore  region  of  Chicago,  in- 
vestigation having  proved  that  the  plants  there  are  the  Russian  thistle. 

The  first  mention  of  Salsola  Kali,  the  saltwort,  as  occurring  in 
Illinois  is  in  the  "  Catalogue  of  Phaenogamous  Plants  of  Evanston  and 
Vicinity,"  published  by  C.  S.  Raddin  in  1883.  In  the  "  Flora  of  Cook 
County,"  etc.,  published  in  1891  by  Professor  Higley  and  Mr.  Raddin, 
the  same  plant  is  spoken  of  as  follows:  "  Frequent  on  the  lake  shore, 
near  the  University  grounds,  Evanston."  As  yet  none  of  the  speci- 
mens from  Evanston  have  been  critically  examined  to  see  if  they  were 
the  true  Russian  thistle.  The  Evanston  specimens  do  not  seem  to  be 
very  abundant  at  the  present  time,  and  there  seem  to  be  no  specimens 
preserved  in  any  herbarium,  so  that  it  cannot  be  definitely  stated  that 
they  were  Russian  thistles.  Concerning  the  presence  of  the  plants  there 
at  the  present  time,  Mr.  Raddin  writes:  "Up  to  1887-8  the  plants 
were  frequent  on  the  lake  shore  about  Evanston,  but  were  not  noticed 
inland.  They  had  been  found  in  this  vicinity  for  a  good  many  years, 
and  very  likely  came  in  from  the  lake,  as  quite  a  good  number  of  plants 
have  done.  For  the  last  three  or  four  years  the  plants  have  become  in- 
frequent, and  lately  rare."  Professor  C.  B.  Atwell,  of  Evanston,  also 
writes:  "I  am  unable  to  learn,  after  considerable  conversation  with 
Dr.  Marcy,  that  there  is  any  authority  whatever  for  saying  that  Salsola 
Kali  is  found  upon  the  college  campus  or  near  it."  During  the  summer 
of  1894  plants  said  to  be  the  Russian  thistle  were  noticed  at  Edgewater 


1895-]  THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE.  93 

and  Rogers  Park,  these  places  being  a  short  distance  south  of  Evanston. 

In  the  appendix  to  the  Flora  of  Cook  county,  before  mentioned, 
Mr.  E.  J.  Hill  is  given  as  finding  Salsola  Kali  at  the  ice-house  near 
Wolf  Lake  within  the  limits  of  Chicago.  It  has  lately  been  shown  that 
these  plants  were  the  true  Russian  thistle,  and  that  it  was  from  this 
locality,  or  some  near  one,  that  most  of  the  places  in  Chicago  and  north- 
ern Indiana  have  obtained  their  thistles.  In  a  recent  letter  Mr.  Hill 
writes:  "I  first  saw  the  plant  at  Wolf  Lake  in  August,  1890.  The  little 
patch  was  on  a  side-track  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  which  was  built 
for  the  use  of  ice-houses  on  the  lake.  As  the  boundary  between  Illinois 
and  Indiana  here  crossed  the  track,  I  concluded  that  both  states  were 
represented  in  the  plants.  A  month  later  I  found  some  about  ten  miles 
east  in  Indiana  along  the  main  line  of  the  railroad.  I  did  not  at  the  time 
consider  them  different  from  Salsola  Kali,  as  published  in  the  Manual, 
but  a  couple  of  years  later,  after  the  agitation  about  the  Russian  thistle 
became  prominent,  I  looked  the  matter  over  and  decided  that  they  were 
identical." 

It  would  seem,  then,  that  August,  1890,  was  the  first  date  on 
which  plants  now  definitely  known  to  be  the  Russian  thistle  were 
noticed  in  the  state,  the  identity  of  the  Evanston  plants  reported  in  1883 
being  as  yet  uncertain. 

At  the  present  time  the  Russian  thistle  has  been  reported  from 
twenty  towns,  located  in  thirteen  counties,  all  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  state.  In  some  of  these  only  a  few  plants  were  found,  and  in  many 
of  the  places  the  plants  discovered  were  all  destroyed,  so  that  next 
year,  quite  likely,  plants  may  not  be  found  at  all  of  the  places.  In 
Chicago  the  weed  has  been  found  in  over  a  dozen  different  localities. 
Undoubtedly  the  railroads  have  been  the  chief  means  of  introduction, 
for  it  is  along  the  tracks,  especially  of  lines  running  to  the  north  and 
west,  that  the  plants  have  been  found.  With  one  or  two  exceptions,  the 
plants  have  not  as  yet  spread  away  from  the  railroads  into  the  towns  or 
the  country.  With  the  exception  of  some  of  those  found  in  the  vicinity 
of  Chicago,  the  year  1894  seems  to  have  been  the  first  or  second  year 
of  their  introduction.  In  three  towns  plants  have  been  reported  as 
abundant. 

In  the  southeastern  part  of  Chicago,  in  the  vicinity  of  Wolf  Lake, 
the  plant  seems  to  have  taken  its  strongest  hold.  A.t  the  head  of  Wolf 
Lake,  where  the  plant  was  first  discovered  in  1890  by  Mr.  Hill,  its 
spread  has  been  chiefly  in  Indiana.  Mr.  C.  B.  Shedd,  of  the  Knicker- 
bocker Ice  Company,  upon  whose  land  the  plants  are  found,  states  that 
they  did  not  attract  his  attention  until  he  saw  some  tumbling  about  in 
January  of  1894.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  found  that  there  were 
several  acres  infested.  An  effort  was  made  then  to  destroy  them,  and 
at  one  time  a  pile  the  size  of  a  small  house  was  gathered  and  burned. 
The  land  here  is  quite  sandy,  is  low  and  wet  in  places,  and  has  a  poor 
sod.  When  visited  by  the  writer  in  December,  many  small  plants  were 


94  BULLETIN    NO.    39.  [April, 

yet  to  be  found,  so  that  the  task  of  eradicating  the  weed  may  be  one  of 
some  years.  It  is  believed  that  the  plants  were  started  here  from  seed 
that  was  carried  in  stock  cars,  such  cars  having  been  emptied  of  their 
contents  along  the  side-track,  where  specimens  were  first  found.  West 
of  this  place,  along  the  railroad,  running  from  Colehour  south  and  then 
east  into  Indiana,  the  plant  is  also  abundant.  Mr.  Hill  says  of  the 
thistle  in  this  locality:  "It  is  most  abundant  a  little  west  of  where  I 
originally  saw  it.  There  is  a  good  deal  along  this  road,  between  Cole- 
hour  and  Hegewisch  station.  At  this  place  it  has  got  into  the  fields 
somewhat,  but  is  mostly  by  the  railway."  In  some  of  the  counties  of 
northern  Indiana,  in  this  vicinity,  the  plant  has  become  quite  abundant. 
At  Turner,  Du  Page  county,  Mr.  G.  W.  Carver,  who  found  the 
plant  there  in  June,  1894,  reports  that  it  was  very  abundant.  It  is  said 
to  have  escaped  along  the  streets  at  this  place. 

In  August  of  1894,  the  writer,  while  looking  for  the  plant  at 
Savanna,  Carroll  county,  found  that  the  yards  of  the  Chicago,  Burling- 
ton &  Northern  Railroad,  west  of  the  town,  were  very  badly  infested. 
The  plants  were  so  crowded  in  most  places  that  they  were  quite  small. 
Some  very  large  plants,  however,  were  found.  Some  few  plants  were 
also  found  along  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  Railway,  and 
southwest  of  the  town  plants  were  occasionally  found  on  that  road  to 
Sabula,  Iowa.  The  plant  had  not  yet  escaped  from  the  railroads. 

In  the  following  list  are  given  all  those  localities  in  the  state  where 
it  is  known  that  this  pest  has  been  found.  A  few  places  have  been  re- 
ported as  having  the  plant,  when  investigation  proved  that  they  did  not- 
Undoubtedly  there  are  other  places  in  these  northern  counties  where 
plants  have  been  or  may  be  found.  It  is  desired  that  all  such  places  be 
reported  to  the  botanist  of  the  Experiment  Station,  accompanied  by  a 
small  piece  of  the  plant.  The  list  gives  the  locality,  abundance  of 
specimens,  source  of  information,  and  collector,  when  known. 

CHICAGO,  COOK  Co.,  along  side-track  belonging  to  Knickerbocker  Ice  Co.,  south 
of  n8th  street  near  state  line,  spreading  northeast  along  Wolf  Lake,  in  Indiana  At 
first  a  dozen  or  so  plants,  increasing  to  thousands  in  1894.  Collected  in  Ag.,  1890; 
published  in  Flora,  Cook  County,  1891;  in  letter  to  G.  P.  Clinton,  20  N.,  1894.  Col- 
lected and  reported  by  E.  J.  Hill,  Englewood. 

Along  branch  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  from  Colehour  south  and  east  into  Indiana, 
spreading  somewhat  into  fields.  Very  common,  especially  between  noth  street  and 
Hegewisch.  Collected  in  1893;  published  in  Bot.  Gaz.,  26  D..  1894;  in  letter  to  G.  P- 
Clinton,  20  N.,  1894.  Collected  and  reported  by  E.  J.  Hill,  Englewood. 

Along  L.  S.  &  M.  S.  and  P.,  Ft.  W.  &  C.  railways,  from  Englewood  to  state  line, 
and  along  former  as  far  east  as  Ohio.  Plants  scattered  along  the  tracks.  In  letter  to 
G.  P.  Clinton,  u  S.,  1894.  Reported  by  C.  B.  Shedd,  Chicago. 

Along  Pan  Handle  railroad,  between  West  Pullman  and  the  Calumet  River. 
Considerable.  In  letter  to  G.  P.  Clinton,  20  N.,  1894.  Reported  by  E.  J.  Hill, 
Englewood. 

On  commons  near  Eggleston  Station.  Rather  abundant.  In  letter  to  G.  P.  Clin- 
ton, 20  N.,  1894.  Reported  by  E.  J.  Hill,  Englewood. 


1895-]  THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE.  95 

Along  switch-tracks  of  L.  S.  &  M.  S.  Railway  near  Sixty-fifth  street,  Englewood. 
A  few  plants.  Collected  10  O.,  1891;  in  letter  to  111.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.,  1894.  Reported 
by  W.  S.  Moffatt,  Chicago. 

At  Sixty-third  street  and  Oglesby  avenue.  Published  in  the  Tribune,  Chicago, 
30  Ag.,  1894.  Reported  by  W.  K.  Higley,  Chicago. 

At  Fifty-fifth  street,  between  Cottage  Grove  and  Greenwood  avenues.  Common 
along  both  sides  of  street.  In  letter  to  Bot.  111.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.,  16  O.,  1894.  Re- 
ported by  W.  S.  Moffatt,  Chicago. 

Along  tracks  in  Union  Stock  Yards.  Two  small  plants.  Collected  30  Ag.,  1894; 
reported  in  the  Inter  Ocean,  Chicago,  138,  1894.  Collected  and  reported  by  G.  P. 
Clinton,  Urbana. 

Brighton  Park,  near  Belt  Line  Railroad.  A  few  plants.  Collected  19  S.,  1891; 
in  letter  to  Bot.  111.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.,  16  O.,  1894.  Collected  and  reported  by  W.  S. 
Moffatt,  Chicago. 

At  foot  of  Ontario  street.  In  letter  to  Bot.  111.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.,  29  Ag.,  1894. 
Reported  by  W.  S.  Moffatt,  Chicago. 

At  Indiana  street  dump,  on  Lake  Michigan.  Published  in  the  Tribune,  Chicago, 
30  Ag.,  1894.  Reported  by  E.  J.  Hill,  Englewood. 

Shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  south  of  Marine  Hospital.  In  letter  to  Bot.  111.  Agr. 
Exp  Sta.,  16  O.,  1894.  Reported  by  W.  S.  Moffatt,  Chicago. 

Edgewater,  along  lake  shore.  In  letter  to  G  P.  Clinton,  n  Mr.,  1895.  Re- 
ported by  C.  S.  Raddin,  Evanston. 

Rogers  Park.  In  letter  to  G.  P.  Clinton,  u  Mr.,  '95.  Reported  by  C.  S.  Rad- 
din, Evanston. 

DAVIS  JUNCTION,  OGLE  Co.,  along  main  and  side-tracks  of  C.,  B.  &  Q.  Railroad. 
In  letter  to  G.  E.  Morrow,  24  Ag.,  1894;  published  by  G.  E.  Morrow,  in  the  Breed- 
ers' Gazette.  29  Ag.  Reported  by  F.  M.  Worcester,  Davis  Junction. 

EAST  DUBUQUE,  Jo  DAVIESS  Co.,  two  and  one-half  miles  north  of  town,  on  C., 
B.  &  N.  Railroad.  Two  bunches.  In  letter  to  G.  P.  Clinton,  7  Mr.,  1895.  Re- 
ported by  C.  H.  Harris,  East  Dubuque. 

EVANSTON,  COOK  Co.,  on  lake  shore,  near  Northwestern  Univ.;  also  south  of 
town  in  1894.  At  first  frequent,  now  rare.  Reported  in  List  of  Plants  of  Evanston 
and  Vicinity,  1883;  in  Flora,  Cook  County,  1891;  in  letters  to  G.  P.  Clinton.  Re- 
ported by  C.  S.  Raddin,  Evanston. 

GURNEE,  LAKE  Co.,  in  Stock  Yards.  Three  plants.  In  letter  to  S.  A.  Forbes, 
i  O.,  1894.  Reported  by  G.  H.  Stafford,  Gurnee. 

HAMPSHIRE,  KANE  Co.,  along  C.,  M.  &  St.  P.  Railway.  At  first  one  plant,  after- 
ward others  found  within  six  miles  of  town.  Collected  19  Ag.,  1894;  in  letter  to 
G.  E.  Morrow,  20  Ag. ;  published  by  G.  E.  Morrow  in  the  Breeders'  Gazette,  29  Ag. 
Reported  by  M.  E.  Howe,  later  by  E.  E.  Rich,  Hampshire. 

MORRISON,  WHITESIDE  Co.,  along  C.  &  N.W.  Railway.  At  first  two,  later  other 
specimens  found.  Published  in  the  Breeders'  Gazette,  19  S.,  1894;  in  letter  to  G.  P. 
Clinton,  24  S.  Reported  by  E.  W.  Payne,  Morrison. 

NACHUSA,  LEE  Co.,  on  C.  &  N.  W.  Railway.  One  plant.  In  letter  to  G.  E. 
Morrow,  21  Ag.,  1894;  published  by  G.  E.  Morrow  in  the  Breeders'  Gazette,  29  Ag. 
Reported  by  Ira  Raff,  Nachusa. 

NEW  LEBANON,  DE  KALB  Co.,  on  C.,  M.  &  St.  P.  Railway.  One  plant.  In 
letter  to  G.  E.  Morrow,  14  S.,  1894.  Reported  by  Vangalder  and  Boies,  Sycamore. 

OREGON,  OGLE  Co.,  east  of  depot  C.,  B.  &  N.  Railroad.  Two  small  plants.  Col- 
lected Ag.,  1894;  reported  in  Ogle  Co.  Press,  Polo,  i  S.  Collected  and  reported  by 
G.  P.  Clinton,  Urbana. 

OTTAWA,  LA  SALLE  Co.,  near  glass  works  on  switch  connecting  with  C.,  R.  I  &  P. 
and  C.,  B.  &  Q.  railways.  Forty  plants.  In  letter  to  T.  J.  Burrill,  27  S.,  1894. 
Reported  by  J.  W.  Huett. 


96  BULLETIN    NO.    39. 

PEOTONE,  WILL  Co.,  along  I.  C.  Railroad.  Several  plants.  In  letter  to  G.  E. 
Morrow,  22  Ag.,  1894;  published  by  G.  E.  Morrow  in  the  Breeders'  Gazette,  29  Ag. 
Reported  by  J.  J.  McMahon,  Peotone. 

POLO,  OGLE  Co.,  near  depot  C.,  B.  &  N.  Railroad.  Forty  plants,  mostly  small. 
Collected  14  Ag.,  1894;  reported  in  Ogle  Co.  Press,  Polo,  18  Ag.  Collected  and  re- 
ported by  G.  P.  Clinton,  Urbana. 

ROCKFORD,  WINNEBAGO  Co.,  in  C.,  M.  &  St.  P.  freight  yards.  One  plant  only 
mentioned.  In  letter  to  G.  E.  Morrow,  28  S,  1894.  Reported  by  Dugald  Clark, 
Rockford. 

ROCKTON,  WINNEBAGO  Co.,  in  gravel  pit  on  railway  near  town.  Large  number 
of  plants.  First  noticed  during  season  of  1894;  letter  to  G.  P.  Clinton,  Mr.  1895.  ^-e~ 
ported  by  W.  W.  Austin,  Rockton. 

ROSECRANS,  LAKE  Co.,  a  few  miles  from  C.,  M.  &  S"t.  P.  Railway.  Several  speci- 
mens. In  letter  to  S.  A.  Forbes,  i  O.,  1894.  Reported  by  G.  H.  Stafford.  Gurnee. 

SAVANNA,  CARROLL  Co.,  south  yards  of  C.,  B.  &  N.  Railroad;  also  along  C.,  M. 
&  St.  P.  Railway  southwest  to  Sabula,  Iowa.  Along  C.,  B.  &  N.  very  abundant. 
Collected  28  Au.,  1894;  reported  in  Ogle  Co.  Press,  Polo,  i  S.  Collected  and 
reported  by  G.  P.  Clinton,  Urbana. 

ST.  CHARLES,  KANE  Co.,  in  rear  of  iron  foundry,  on  a  pile  of  refuse  along  river 
bank.  About  a  dozen  plants.  In  letter  to  G.  E.  Morrow,  17  Ag.,  1894;  published 
by  G.  E.  Morrow  in  the  Daily  Gazette,  Champaign,  18  Ag.  Reported  by  E.  C.  Cook, 
St.  Charles. 

TURNER  Du  PAGE  Co.,  in  streets  and  along  railroad.  Very  numerous.  Reported 
by  L.  H.  Pammel  in  the  Orange  Judd  Farmer,  28  Jl.,  1894;  in  letter  to  G.  P.  Clinton, 
collected  Je.  20,  by  George  Carver,  Ames,  Iowa. 

WADSWORTH,  LAKE  Co.,  one  mile  north  of  station.  Several  plants.  In  letter  to 
G.  P.  Clinton,  16  O.,  1894.  Reported  by  G.  H.  Stafford,  Gurnee. 

WAUKEGAN,  LAKE  Co.,  along  C.  &  N.  W.  yards.  Fifty  or  more  plants,  mostly 
small.  In  letter  to  Exp.  Sta.  21  S.,  1894.  Reported  by  L.  O.  Mattheias,  Waukegan. 

Besides  the  preceding,  the  following  towns  have  been  reported  as  having  the 
plant,  but  as  insufficient  information  was  bad  concerning  the  positive  identification 
of  the  plant,  they  are  merely  mentioned  here.  The  places  are  as  follows:  Forreston, 
North  Forreston,  Ogle  Co.;  DeKalb,  DeKalb  Co.;  Warren,  Jo  Daviess  Co. ;  LaFox, 
Kane  Co. 

INFLUENCE    OF    THE    PLANT. 

Injurious.  Weeds  are  always  a  bad  thing  for  the  agriculturalist. 
Although  there  has  been  a  great  variety  of  opinions  expressed  as  to  the 
degree  of  damage  caused  by  the  Russian  thistle,  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  in  general  it  is  a  thoroughly  bad  weed.  In  fact,  in  some  localities 
it  has  already  caused  more  mischief  than  any  other  weed  occurring  in 
the  United  States.  It  remains,  however,  to  be  seen  whether  this  pest 
shall  become  as  prominent  a  nuisance  in  all  the  localities  to  which  it  has 
spread  as  it  is  in  the  Dakotas.  As  different  seasons  seem  to  have  some 
effect  on  its  prominence  as  a  weed-pest,  so  it  seems  highly  probable 
that  the  widely  differing  environments  of  the  various  states  and  locali- 
ties to  which  it  has  spread  will  also  greatly  affect  it.  However,  there  is 
no  doubt  as  to  its  being  a  costly  intruder  in  many  localities,  and  it  must 
be  met  everywhere,  for  the  present,  with  the  assumption  that  it  may 
prove  harmful. 

No  other  weed  has  caused  such  widespread  discussion,  or  been  the 
subject  of  such  general  fear.  National  aid  was  asked  to  help  in  its 


1895-]  THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE.  97 

eradication.  In  North  Dakota  a  state  meeting  was  called  by  the  Gov- 
ernor at  La  Moure  to  consider  the  subject  of  fighting  the  pest,  and  in 
January  of  the  present  year  an  interstate  conference  was  held  at  St. 
Paul  for  a  similar  purpose.  Mr.  L.  H.  Dewey,  of  the  Division  of 
Botany,  Washington,  who  has  made  the  most  careful  study  of  the  plant 
in  this  country,  estimated  that  the  damage  it  caused  during  1892  was 
more  than  two  million  dollars,  while  in  1893  the  loss  must  have  been 
greater. 

The  following  in  regard  to  the  loss  caused  by  the  plant  in  North 
Dakota  is  taken  from  the  report  of  the  Cactus  Committee  appointed  in 
that  state  for  1893.  "Reliable  estimates  from  the  counties  infested — 
although  somewhat  incomplete,  as  some  localities  where  damage 
occurred  were  not  reported, — at  the  prevailing  low  prices  of  farm  prod- 
ucts, would  indicate  a  direct  crop  loss  of  more  than  one  million  dollars 
for  the  year  1893  alone.  The  crop  loss  in  Dickey  county  is  estimated 
at  twenty  per  cent.;  La  Moure,  twenty  per  cent.;  Mclntosh,  twenty 
per  cent.;  while  Richland  county  reports  about  30,000  acres  infested 
with  cacti,  with  a  crop  loss  on  this  land  of  fifteen  per  cent.  Much  of 
the  land  in  the  worst  cacti  districts  was  not  plowed  last  fall  because  of 
the  mechanical  obstruction  to  machinery  presented  by  the  weeds." 

The  reason  that  the  Russian  thistle  assumes  such  importance  as  a 
pest  is  due  to  the  fact  that  it  has  much  worse  features  than  most  weeds, 
which  merely  rob  the  soil  of  its  nourishment.  To  a  prominent  degree 
it  possesses  the  power  of  crowding  out  other  plants,  especially  in  the 
case  of  plants  growing  on  broken  land.  Another  very  objectionable 
feature  possessed  by  the  plant  in  its  spiny  leaves,  which  render  harvest- 
ing infested  crops  exceedingly  difficult.  Stock  may  become  injured  by 
coming  in  contact  with  mature  plants.  In  the  northwest  the  character 
of  the  country  and  the  rolling  habit  of  the  plant  offer  it  as  a  means  for 
spreading  prairie  fires. 

Beneficial.  It  seems  rather  paradoxical  to  speak  of  such  a  plant  as 
possessing  beneficial  qualities.  As  a  grazing  plant,  however,  the  weed 
seems  to  possess  some  qualities  which  adapt  it  for  such  purposes  in  very 
dry  regions.  In  regard  to  its  value  in  this  direction,  a  writer  in  a  num- 
ber of  the  Sheep  Breeder  said :  "  Our  farm  joins  a  thriving  little  town 
of  about  one  thousand  people.  Now,  if  I  should  employ  every  able- 
bodied  man  and  boy  that  could  use  a  hoe  and  set  them  to  work  on  our 
farm  to  destroy  these  thistles,  I  should  have  to  hire  them  by  the  year, 
and  then  would  fail.  We  do  not  look  upon  the  Russian  thistle  as  some 
do.  It  is  one  of  the  very  best  forage  plants  known,  and  certainly  is 
one  of  the  best  in  Dakota,  for  when  so  dry  that  nothing  else  will  grow, 
then  the  thistle  grows  the  quickest,  and  one  acre  of  Russian  thistles  will 
produce  more  feed  than  two  acres  of  clover.  Our  experience  teaches 
us  this,  for  we  have  kept  seventy-five  large  thoroughbred  Shopshire  and 
Delaine  rams  on  less  than  twenty  acres  this  season,  and  kept  them  in 
fine  condition." 


98  BULLETIN    NO.    39.  [April, 

While  the  plant  may  be  valuable  for  grazing  when  young,  one 
would  not  think  of  raising  it  for  such  purpose,  but  rather  to  pasture 
sheep  upon  it  to  clear  the  land  and  incidentally  get  out  of  the  thistle 
what  value  it  may  have  as  a  grazing  plant.  Recent  chemical  analyses 
made  at  the  Experiment  Stations  of  Iowa  and- Minnesota  show  that  the 
plant  during  its  younger  stages  really  is  rather  valuable  for  grazing 
purposes?  but  that  as  it  grows  older  its  value  materially  lessens.  The 
draft  made  by  it  on  the  soil  is  also  shown  to  be  rather  severe. 

In  Illinois.  Since  the  plant  has  been  found  in  our  state  at  such  a 
number  of  places,  the  question  naturally  arises,  "What  may  we  expect 
of  it  here?"  The  fact  that  the  plant  during  the  five  or  so  years  that  it 
has  occurred  in  southeast  Chicago  has  been  steadily  gaining  in 
prominence  shows  that  it  can  find  places  in  the  state  favorable  for  de- 
velopment. However,  there  are  so  many  conditions  in  this  state  differ- 
ent from  those  of  Dakota  that  they  must  be  taken  into  account  in  our 
estimate  of  its  probable  development  as  a  weed  pest. 

In  the  first  place,  then,  although  the  railroads  may  serve  as  a 
favorable  means  for  wide  dissemination,  the  fenced  condition  of  most  of 
our  land  and  the  less  boisterous  winds  are  against  a  rapid  general  in- 
vasion of  the  country.  A  second  condition  against  its  spread  is  the 
greater  amount  of  land  under  cultivation  here  and  the  better  cultivation 
of  such  as  is  used.  The  more  moist  seasons  may  also  be  somewhat 
against  the  plant,  as  it  is  said  to  develop  much  more  rapidly  in  dry 
climates.  The  raising  of  crops  requiring  cultivation  and  the  compara- 
tively small  amount  of  land  in  wheat  and  flax,  which  are  said  to  be  those 
most  injured,  are  also  points  against  its  inflicting  great  loss.  Lastly,  the 
fact  that  very  little  plowed  land  is  allowed  to  go  to  waste  will  be  against 
the  plants  gaining  strong  foothold. 

CONTROL  OF  THE  PLANT. 

Necessity. — Although  we  may  not  expect  the  plant  to  play  the 
prominent  part  in  the  agriculture  of  this  state  that  it  has  in  some  others, 
still  it  is  wise  to  be  on  our  guard  against  possible  injury.  The  only  way 
to  keep  the  plant  from  doing  possible  damage  is  to  prevent  it  from  gain- 
ing general  distribution.  Although  it  has  been  reported  from  a  number 
of  localities  and  may  be  expected  in  others,  we  are  now  in  a  condition  to 
prevent  it  from  spreading. 

Responsible  parties.  Doubtless  for  some  time  the  railroads  will 
be  the  chief  ones  to  look  after  the  extermination  of  the  plants.  With 
this  idea  in  view,  last  year  the  Experiment  Station  sent  to  the  roads  in 
northern  Illinois  notice  of  the  appearance  of  the  plant  in  the  state, 
together  with  a  general  description  for  aid  in  recognizing  it.  As  a 
rule,  the  railroads  seem  willing  to  aid  in  preventing  its  further  spread. 
Greater  care  should  be  given  to  keeping  the  right  of  way  free  from  all 
weeds.  Section  men  should  become  acquainted  with  the  plant,  so  that 
they  can  easily  distinguish  it  from  our  tumbleweed.  The  yards  of  the 


1895*]  THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE.  99 

railroads  should  be  carefully  watched,  as  plants  are  most  apt  to  make 
their  appearance  there.  More  care  on  the  part  of  our  towns  in  keeping 
down  the  weeds  of  roads  and  of  waste  places  will  also  be  a  paying 
investment  in  more  ways  than  this.  Lastly,  the  owner  of  any  land 
owes  it  to  himself  and  his  neigborhood  to  destroy  any  such  troublesome 
invader. 

Methods.  Various  methods  have  been  suggested  for  dealing  with 
the  plant,  according  to  the  locality  from  which  it  is  reported.  In  most 
places  in  this  state,  however,  the  Russian  thistle  has  not  become  so 
abundant  but  that  the  best  means  for  destroying  it  is  to  pull  up  the 
plants  when  young,  and  when  old  to  cut  them  down  and  burn  them. 
Where  plants  are  abundant  frequent  mowings,  if  necessary,  should  be 
given.  In  some  cases  more  elaborate  treatment  might  be  found  essen- 
tial for  success.  As  importation  of  seed  grain,  etc.,  from  localities  hav- 
ing the  pest  is  a  frequent  method  of  spreading  the  plant,  farmers  should 
be  careful  to  know  the  origin  and  condition  of  such  seed. 

CONFUSION  WITH  OTHER  PLANTS. 

Lack  of  information.  The  appearance  of  the  Russian  thistle  in 
Illinois  has  aroused  an  interest,  perhaps  somewhat  temporary,  in  the 
weeds  of  the  state.  Through  lack  of  information  some  of  our  most 
common  species  have  been  mistaken  for  this  pest.  The  rinding  of  any 
new-comer  in  the  weed  line  has  also  been  received  with  apprehension 
lest  it  be  the  dreaded  foe.  The  Experiment  Station  has  consequently 
received  an  unusually  large  number  of  plants  for  determination,  most 
of  which  have  been  sent  to  see  if  they  were  the  Russian  thistle.  In 
some  way  the  term  "thistle"  has  made  such  an  impression  on  the  people 
that  any  unknown  plant  possessing  prickles  on  any  part  of  it  is  very  apt 
to  be  regarded  as  this  intruder.  As  a  consequence  most  of  the  plants 
received  were  such  as  were  provided  with  some  sort  of  spines.  In  this 
state  there  really  are  no  plants  that  upon  ordinary  examination  should 
be  mistaken  for  the  Russian  thistle.  As  they  are  seen  growing  or 
tumbling  about  at  a  distance,  there  are,  however,  two  weeds  that  bear 
some  resemblance  to  the  plant.  In  the  following  paragraphs  some  of 
these  mistaken  forms  are  briefly  described,  while  somewhat  of  an  idea 
of  their  general  features  may  be  obtained  from  the  illustrations  at  the 
end  of  this  bulletin. 

Cycloloma  atriplicifolium  (Spreng.)  Coulter.  Winged  pigweed. 
This  plant  occurs  in  the  United  States  chiefly  on  the  plains  west  of  the 
Mississippi  river.  It  is  reported  as  native  in  western  Illinois,  and  is  now 
found  chiefly  in  the  western  and  northern  part  of  the  state.  At  most  of 
the  localities  from  which  it  has  been  reported,  it  is  not  found  to  be  a 
common  plant,  and  perhaps  in  such  cases  has  been  introduced.  It  is  the 
only  one  of  the  plants  here  described  that  belongs  to  the  same  family  as 
the  Russian  thistle,  the  goosefoot  family.  The  plant  is  much  branched, 
and  grows  from  six  to  eighteen  inches  in  height.  The  leaf  is  easily 


100  BULLETIN    NO.    39.  [Apr it, 

told  from  that  of  the  Russian  thistle,  being  of  the  ordinary  flat  type 
with  more  or  less  coarsely  toothed  margins.  The  numerous  flowers  are 
small,  incomplete,  and  are  scattered  along  the  branches.  In  the  fall  by 
the  twisting  and  breaking  of  the  root,  the  weed  may  become  freed  from 
the  soil;  it  is  then  carried  by  the  wind  rolling  over  the  ground,  so  it  is 
sometimes  called  a  "  tumbleweed."  The  plant  is  an  annual,  and  in  this 
state  is  not  common  or  injurious  enough  to  be  considered  one  of  the 
obnoxious  species. 

Amaranthus  albus  L.  Tumbleweed.  A  common  weed  usually 
found  in  waste  places  or  on  plowed  land  is  the  tumbleweed.  This  plant 
occurs  scattered  not  only  over  the  state  but  now  makes  no  claim  to  any 
special  part  of  the  United  States.  It  is  one  of  our  native  weeds  that 
has  spread  over  the  country  probably  from  the  western  plains.  This 
tumbleweed  belongs  to  the  amaranth  family,  which  is  closely  related  to 
the  goosefoot  family.  The  common  pigweed  of  the  gardens  is  one  of 
its  near  relatives.  It  has  the  low  bushy  appearance  of  the  Russian 
thistle,  and  so  is  the  plant  most  frequently  mistaken  for  it.  Its  leaves, 
however,  serve  as  an  easy  means  for  distinguishing  it  from  that  plant. 
They  are  flat,  rounded  at  the  end,  and  gradually  taper  to  a  petiole  at 
their  base.  The  flowers  are  very  small  and  rudimentary,  being  crowded 
in  small  clusters  in  the  axils  of  the  leaves.  The  seed  is  a  small,  lens- 
shaped,  shining  black  body.  This  weed  is  also  an  annual,  and  while 
more  common  than  the  winged  pigweed  is  not  classed  with  our  worst 
pests. 

Amaranthus  spinosus  L.  Thorny  amaranth.  It  is  said  that  this 
plant  was  introduced  into  the  United  States  from  tropical  America,  and 
now  occurs  scattered  through  the  eastern  half  of  the  country.  It  has 
long  been  known  as  a  resident  of  this  state,  and  has  been  reported  from 
a  number  of  localities,  though  apparently  it  is  not  a  common  plant.  As 
is  indicated  by  its  scientific  name,  it  belongs  to  the  same  genus  as  the 
common  tumbleweed.  The  plant  is  bushy  and  grows  from  one  to  three 
feet  in  height.  Its  leaves,  which  are  broadest  at  the  base,  have  rather 
long  petioles.  In  the  axils  of  these  leaves  are  found  two  or  more  well 
developed  spines.  The  spines  form  a  means  for  easily  determining  the 
plant.  The  inconspicuous  flowers  form  long  sterile  clusters  at  the  end 
of  the  branches,  and  shorter,  more  compact  fertile  ones  in  the  axils  of 
the  leaves.  The  plant  has  been  feared  by  some  as  likely  to  prove  an 
injurious  weed,  though  as  yet  it  can  scarcely  be  called  such. 

Solanum  Carolinense  L.  Horse-nettle.  The  plant  bearing  this 
name  is  a  native  of  the  state,  and  is  found  in  the  United  States  chiefly 
east  of  the  Mississippi  river.  It  usually  occurs  in  sandy  or  dry  waste 
places.  From  its  general  appearance  one  would  scarcely  believe  that  it 
is  a  very  close  relative  of  the  potato,  yet  an  examination  of  the  floral 
parts  shows  many  points  of  resemblance.  The  plants  generally  grow 
from  one  to  one  and  a  half  feet  high  and  are  more  or  less  covered  with 
short  coarse  hairs.  The  leaves,  which  are  comparatively  large,  are 


1895-]  THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE.  IOI 

usually  lobed  in  a  somewhat  angular  manner.  The  striking  feature  of 
the  plant  is  the  strong  yellow  prickles  found  on  the  stems  and  ribs  of 
the  leaves.  When  in  fruit  the  small  yellow  berries  in  a  way  resemble 
tomatoes,  which  are  also  botanically  related  to  the  horse-nettle.  The 
perennial  nature  of  the  plant,  together  with  its  prickles,  cause  it  in  some 
places  in  the  state  (Gibson,  Ford  county)  to  become  quite  obnoxious, 
though  it  is  not  frequent  enough  to  be  so  considered  in  most  localities. 
It  is  said  that  in  Delaware  the  plant  has  taken  hold  of  some  fields  with 
such  vigor  that  they  have  been  abandoned  temporarily. 

Solatium  rostratum  Dunal.  Sand-bur.  The  native  home  of  this 
plant  is  the  plains  of  the  west.  For  years,  however,  it  has  gradually 
been  working  its  way  eastward.  Its  first  appearance  in  this  state  seems 
to  have  been  in  Adams  county,  specimens  having  been  collected  on 
•waste  ground  at  Camp  Point  in  August  of  1878.  It  has  since  been  re- 
ported from  a  number  of  widely  separated  localities,  and  at  one  place 
near  Eagle  Point,  Ogle  county,  has  taken  possession  of  several  acres  of 
land.  Like  the  horse-nettle,  the  sand-bur  belongs  to  the  nightshade 
family.  It  forms  a  branched  plant  one  or  two  feet  high,  and  presents 
a  striking  appearance  because  of  the  stout  yellow  prickles  which  densely 
cover  the  stems,  leaves,  and  fruit.  The  flowers  are  yellow,  about  an 
inch  in  diameter,  and  at  maturity  produce  numerous  seeds.  It  is  one  of 
our  annual  plants.  Before  the  introduction  of  the  potato  in  the  west, 
the  sand-bur  is  said  to  have  formed  the  chief  food  of  the  potato-bugs 
there.  Although  as  yet  the  plant  has  not  caused  much  trouble  here,  it 
is  one  to  be  regarded  as  quite  undesirable  because  of  the  liberal  manner 
in  which  nature  has  armed  it. 

Carduus  arvensis  (L.)  Robs.  Canada  thistle.  This  plant  was 
introduced  into  the  United  States  from  Europe,  by  the  way  of  Canada, 
probably  during  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century.  It  has  riow  become 
rather  widely  distributed  over  the  northeastern  part  of  the  country.  In 
Illinois  it  was  reported  as  early  as  1859  by  ^r-  Vasey,  though  probably 
introduced  some  years  previous  to  that  date.  In  1867  the  first  laws 
concerning  it  were  passed  by  the  legislature.  In  his  catalogue  of  plants 
of  Illinois,  published  in  1876,  Mr.  H.  N.  Patterson  gives  the  following 
note  on  the  distribution  of  the  plant:  "Along  the  railroads  about  Chi- 
cago, Babcock,  Vasey;  in  one  locality  near  Peoria,  Brendel;  Fulton 
county,  Wolf.  v  Fortunately  rare  as  yet.  Since  the  enactment  of  the 
Canada  thistle  law  most  of  the  other  species  have  suffered  at  the  hands 
of  the  commissioners,  especially  lanceolatum."  At  the  present  time  the 
plant  is  found  in  quite  a  number  of  localities  and,  especially  in  the 
vicinity  of  Chicago,  is  quite  abundant.  It  seems  to  be  introduced  along 
railroads  most  commonly.  The  Canada  thistle  belongs  to  the  compo- 
site family  of  plants,  and  has  our  very  common  bull-thistle  as  one  of 
its  near  relatives.  Though  usually  one  or  two  feet  high,  it  sometimes 
attains  a  height  of  three  or  four  feet.  It  is  frequently  confused  with 
the  bull-thistle,  from  which  it  can  be  told  by  the  leaves,  which  are 


IO2  BULLETIN    NO.    39.  \April, 

thinner,  more  crinkled  and  without  the  rough  hairs  on  their  upper 
sides,  and  are  not  decurrent.  The  floral  heads  are  also  much 
smaller  and  surrounded  at  their  bases  by  rows  of  scales  not  tipped  with 
the  long  prickles  of  the  bull  thistle.  Like  it,  however,  the  margins  of 
the  leaves  are  well  provided  with  prickles.  On  account  of  the  ease 
with  which  the  seeds  are  distributed  by  the  wind  and  the  extensive 
spreading  of  the  perennial  underground  parts,  the  plant  is  one  of  the 
most  difficult  to  eradicate  that  has  yet  made  its  appearance  in  this  coun- 
try. In  this  state,  while  the  pest  is  bad  enough  in  places,  it  is  not  so 
injurious  as  it  might  be,  because  of  the  failure  of  most  plants  to  produce 
any  seed.  All  means  for  eradicating  the  plant  must  be  aimed  at  the 
destruction  of  the  perennial  underground  parts.  There  are  yet  on  our 
statute  books  rather  elaborate  though  apparently  much  neglected  laws 
concerning  the  control  of  the  plant. 

Lactuca  Scariola  L.  Prickly  lettuce.  Perhaps  no  plant  has 
attracted  more  attention  by  its  apparently  very  rapid  spread  than  has 
this  during  the  past  two  or  three  years.  It  is  said  that  the  plant  was 
introduced  into  this  country  from  Europe,  the  first  specimen  being 
found  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  in  1863,  In  this  state,  while  to  many  it 
appears  as  a  new  weed,  it  has  been  observed  in  several  localities  for  a 
number  of  years.  Dr.  W.  S.  Moffatt  in  a  letter  states  that  he  has  known 
the  plant  to  occur  in  the  vicinity  of  Chicago  for  at  least  fifteen  years, 
and  as  early  as  1879  P^ants  were  collected  at  Rockford  by  Mr.  M.  S. 
Bebb.  At  the  present  time  the  plant  is  one  of  the  most  common  in 
waste  places.  It  belongs  to  the  composite  family,  and  is  thought  by 
some  to  be  a  wild  form  of  cultivated  lettuce  to  which  at  least  it  bears 
very  close  relationship.  The  seeds  begin  to  germinate  either  in  the  fall 
or  early  spring,  and  at  first  form  a  circle  of  leaves  spreading  flat  on  the 
ground.  Eventually  from  the  center  of  these  arises  a  single  erect  stem 
two  to  six  feet  high.  The  oblong  leaves  are  attached  directly  to  the 
stem  by  a  somewhat  clasping  base,  and  are  peculiar  in  that  they  are 
generally  twisted  at  the  base  so  that  the  margins  are  directed  up  and 
down.  Toward  the  base  of  the  stem  and  on  the  normally  lower  side  of 
the  leaves  along  the  ribs  are  found  coarse  prickles,  which  are  also  means 
for  identifying  the  plants.  The  small  yellow  flowers  are  borne  in 
numerous  heads  on  the  branches,  and  at  maturity  produce  a  bountiful 
supply  of  seeds,  which  are  provided  with  a  little  tuft  of  hairs  to  aid  in 
their  dissemination  by  the  wind.  Mowing  plants  instead  of  killing  them 
usually  results  in  several  stems  being  sent  up  to  take  the  place  of  the  one 
destroyed.  It  is  said  that  cutting  off  the  plants  beneath  the  ground  is 
sometimes  a  means  for  destroying  them. 

WEED  LAWS. 

Aim  and  use.  Upon  the  statute  books  of  a  number  of  states  are 
laws  directed  against  their  weeds.  In  most  cases  these  are  enacted 
against  the  most  prominent  pe^ts  only,  which  are  usually  mentioned  by 


1895-]  THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE.  103 

name.  In  North  and  South  Dakota  and  Iowa  the  Russian  thistle  has 
been  the  subject  of  special  attention  in  such  laws.  In  Minnesota  and 
Illinois  bills  against  this  plant  have  also  been  introduced  in  their  legis- 
latures, and  it  seems  probable  that  they  will  soon  become  laws. 
Whether  or  not  the  laws  as  they  have  been  made  and  enforced  in  most 
states  are  a  very  valuable  aid  in  keeping  down  weeds  is  an  open  ques- 
tion. When  they  are  enacted,  however,  they  should  be  as  short  and 
simple  as  possible;  they  should  be  flexible  enough  to  provide  against 
the  variable  place  as  a  pest  that  any  weed  may  assume;  they  should  be 
general  enough  to  include  any  form  that  may  suddenly  become 
obnoxious. 

In  Illinois.  At  present  there  are  in  this  state  laws  that  provide 
against  the  Canada  thistle  and  the  cocklebur.  The  Canada  thistle  law 
is  quite  cumbersome,  and  at  present  apparently  not  much  use  is  made  of 
it.  This  law  was  approved  in  March,  1872,  and  was  amended  in  June, 
1885.  A  further  amendment  to  include  the  Russian  thistle  in  the  act  is 
now  under  consideration  by  the  legislature,  having  been  introduced  by 
Senator  David  Hunter.  The  proposed  amendment  changes  the  present 
law  by  the  insertion  of  the  words  "  and  Russian  "  between  the  words 
"  Canada  thistles  "  where  they  occur  in  the  different  sectiofft  of  the  law. 
As  this  amendment  has  already  passed  the  senate,  and  is  said  to  be 
favorably  considered  by  the  house,  the  law  with  the  proposed  amend- 
ments inserted  is  given  here  in  full. 

AN  ACT  concerning  Canada  and  Russian  Thistles. 

SECTION  i .  Be  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  Illinois  represented  in  the 
General  Assembly:  That  there  may  be  appointed  by  the  board  of  town  auditors  in 
counties  under  township  organization,  and  by  the  county  commissioners  in  counties 
not  under  township  organization,  for  each  township  or  election  precinct,  and  by  the 
city  council  of  any  city,  or  by  the  president  and  trustees  of  any  town  or  village,  as  the 
case  may  be,  some  competent  person,  to  be  styled  "Commissioner  of  Canada  and 
Russian  Thistles,"  who  shall  take  the  oath  required  of  township  or  precinct  officers, 
and  shall  hold  his  office  for  the  term  of  three  years,  and  until  his  successor  is  appointed 
and  qualified,  and  he  shall  receive  for  his  compensation  the  sum  of  two  dollars  a  day, 
for  each  full  day  necessarily  spent  in  the  performance  of  his  duty,  to  be  verified  by 
affidavit.  The  board  of  appointment  may  at  any  time,  for  good  cause,  remove  the 
commissioner  from  office,  and  appoint  his  successor,  to  serve  the  remaining  portion 
of  his  time. 

SECTION  2.  The  commissioner  of  Canada  and  Russian  thistles  shall  diligently 
inquire  concerning  the  introduction  and  existence  of  Canada  and  Russian  thistles  in 
his  township  or  precinct,  and  if  any  are  found  growing  therein  he  shall  take  charge  of 
all  such  growing  in  the  highway  and  on  uninclosed  lands,  and  take  care  that  they  do 
not  go  to  seed,  or  otherwise  spread;  and  he  shall  carefully  seek  and  learn,  so  far  as 
practicable,  the  best  methods  for  their  destruction,  and  he  shall  persistently  apply,  in 
proper  time,  such  remedy  or  treatment  as  he  shall  deem  best  calculated  to  prevent 
their  spread  and  to  eradicate  the  same. 

SECTION  3.  In  case  said  thistles  are  found  growing  on  inclosed  lands,  the  com- 
missioner shall  advise  with  the  owner,  agent  or  occupant  on  their  treatment,  and  if 
the  said  commissioner  shall  deem  it  necessary  and  expedient  for  him  to  fully  control 
the  same,  he  shall  agree  with  the  owner,  agent  or  occupant  on  the  boundaries  of  the 
tract  so  infected,  which  it  is  expedient  for  him  to  control,  and  he  shall  mark  the  same 


104  BULLETIN    NO.    39.  \April, 

by  stakes,  or  fence  if  thought  best;  and  thereafter  such  infected  tract,  or  so  much  as 
from  time  to  time  remains  infected  shall  be  managed  and  controlled  by  the  said  com- 
missioner, for  the  purpose  of  destroying  said  thistles,  and  so  long  as  it  may  be  neces- 
sary to  complete  the  work.  In  case  the  commissioner  and  the  owner,  agent  or 
occupant  of  said  land  cannot  agree  as  regards  the  propriety  of  the  commissioner 
controlling  such  tract  or  the  boundaries  of  the  same,  then  the  commissioner  shall 
proceed  to  stake  out  or  mark  such  boundaries  as  he  deems  proper,  and  file  a  copy  of 
his  decision  with  the  town  clerk,  or,  in  counties  not  under  township  organization, 
with  the  county  clerk.  The  owner,  agent  or  occupant  of  the  land  may,  if  he  feels 
aggrieved,  appeal  from  such  decision  of  the  commissioner,  without  bonds,  within 
twenty  days,  to  the  commissioners  of  highways  of  the  town,  or  to  the  county  commis- 
sioners, as  the  case  may  be,  who  shall  proceed  to  view  the  same,  and  to  hear  the 
reasons  for  and  against  the  decision  of  the  commissioner,  and  a  majority  of  such 
board  of  appeal  shall  decide  as  to  the  propriety  of  taking  possession  of  the  tract 
alleged  to  be  infected,  and  if  they  decide  to  take  such  possession,  what  shall  consti- 
tute the  boundaries  of  the  same,  and  shall  direct  said  commissioner  to  exterminate 
said  thistles  (which  are  hereby  declared  a  public  nuisance)  without  unnecessarily 
def  riving  the  owner  of  the  land  of  any  legitimate  use  and  enjoyment  of  the  sane; 
and  the  owner  or  occupant  of  said  land  shall  pay  all  cost  and  expense  of  labor  for 
said  extermination,  which  shall  not  exceed  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  for  each 
infected  tract  in  one  year,  without  the  consent  of  the  supervisor  of  said  town,  or 
county  commissioners,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  that  the  sum  so  expended  shall  be  a 
lien  upon  said  tract  so  infected;  and  if  the  owner  or  occupant  shall  not  pay  the  same 
to  said  commissioner  on  or  before  the  first  Monday  of  September  of  the  year  the  work 
was  performed  by  the  commissioner  on  said  tract,  the  commissioner  shall  report  the 
same  to  the  board  of  town  auditors,  in  towns  under  township  organization,  or  county 
commissioners,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  certify  to  the  same,  and  that  said  board  of 
town  auditors  or  county  commissioners  shall  certify  to  the  county  clerk  the  amount 
so  due  on  each  tract;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  county  clerk  to  cause  the  amount 
so  returned  to  be  levied  on  the  lands  as  certified  by  said  board  of  auditors  or  commis- 
sioners, as  the  case  may  be,  and  that  said  amount  so  certified  shall  be  collected  in  the 
same  manner  that  taxes  of  the  county  are  levied  and  collected,  and  the  same,  when 
collected,  to  be  paid  over  to  the  supervisor  of  the  town  or  towns  under  township 
organization,  and  to  the  county  commissioner,  as  the  case  may  be,  who  shall  pay  the 
same  out  on  the  order  of  the  commissioner  to  the  parties  entitled  to  the  same,  for  the 
labor  employed  in  destroying  the  thistles  on  each  tract  for  which  the  money  was 
collected. 

SECTION  4.  The  commissioner  shall  apply  the  best  known  means,  and  use  the 
utmost  diligence,  in  eradicating  the  thistles;  but  he  shall  not  have  power  to  expend  in 
work  or  materials  more  than  one  hundred  dollars  on  any  one  infected  tract,  without 
the  advice  and  consent,  in  writing,  of  the  supervisor  of  the  town,  or  of  the  county 
commissioners,  as  the  case  may  be. 

SECTION  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  commissioner  to  prosecute  or  complain  to 
the  proper  authorities  of  any  person  or  corporation  who  may  violate  any  law  now 
existing,  or  which  may  hereafter  be  passed,  on  the  subject  of  Canada  and  Russian 
thistles. 

SECTION  6.  The  commissioner  shall,  annually,  before  the  first  day  of  November, 
make  a  written  report  to  the  supervisor  of  the  town,  or  to  the  county  commissioners, 
as  the  case  may  be — which  report  shall  be  filed  with  the  town  clerk,  or  in  counties  not 
under  township  organization,  with  the  county  clerk.  The  report  made  to  the  super- 
visor shall  be  publicly  read  at  the  annual  town  meeting.  Said  report  shall  state — 

First — Whether  there  are  or  not  any  Canada  or  Russian  thistles  growing  in  the 
town  or  precinct. 

Second — If  any  are  growing,  where  and  how  many,  and  when  and  how  intro- 
duced. 


1895-]  THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE.  105 

Third — A  detailed  statement  of  his  treatment  of  each  infected  tract,  with  cost 
and  result. 

Fourth — He  shall  report  such  other  matters  as  may  be  required  of  him  by  the 
board  of  town  auditors,  or  by  the  county  commissioners. 

Fifth — He  shall  state  bis  views  on  their  further  treatment,  and  make  such  sug- 
gestions and  recommendations  as  he  may  deem  proper  and  useful. 

And  he  shall  also  forward  a  copy  of  said  report  to  the  secretary  of  the  State 
Board  of  Agriculture,  who  shall  collate  and  report  the  same  to  the  governor  by  the 
first  day  of  December  of  each  year. 

SECTION  7.  The  board  of  town  auditors,  and  the  county  commissioners  in  coun- 
ties not  under  township  organization,  shall  audit  the  accounts  of  the  commissioner, 
both  for  his  services  and  for  the  money  expended  or  labor  employed  by  him;  and  they 
shall  provide  for  their  payment  as  they  now  do  for  other  town  or  county  expenses. 

SECTION  8.  The  boards  of  supervisors  and  county  commissioners  may  make 
appropriations  from  the  county  treasury  to  aid  in  destroying  the  Canada  and  Russian 
thistle  in  any  one  or  more  towns  or  precincts  of  the  county;  and  in  case  they  deem  it 
expedient,  they  may  assume  control  over  any  one  tract  or  of  all  the  Canada  and  Rus- 
sian thistles  in  the  county,  and  make  such  provision  as  they  may  deem  necessary, 
and  impose  penalties,  not  exceeding  $100  for  each  offense,  for  a  violation  of  any 
provisions,  by-laws  or  regulations  made  by  them  on  this  subject,  to  be  sued  for  by 
the  commissioner,  in  the  name  and  for  the  use  of  the  proper  county,  before  any 
justice  of  the  peace  having  jurisdiction.  Whenever  the  board  of  supervisors  or 
county  commissioners  shall  decide  to  assume  control,  and  so  long  as  they  exercise  it, 
their  jurisdiction  shall  be  superior  to  that  of  the  commissioner. 

SECTION  8)4-  And  it  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of  county  boards  in  counties 
under  township  organization,  where  town  auditors  have  failed  or  refused  to  appoint  a 
commissioner  of  Canada  and  Russian  thistles,  upon  the  petition  of  twenty-five 
land  owners,  of  said  town  or  adjoining  town  or  towns,  stating  the  failure  of  said 
board  of  auditors  to  appoint  a  commissioner  for  said  town,  and  of  the  necessity  for 
the  same;  to  appoint  a  commissioner  for  said  town  (who  shall  be  a  resident  of  said 
town),  who  shall  hold  his  office  for  the  same  length  of  time  as  if  appointed  by  the 
board  of  auditors,  and  shall  receive  the  same  compensation,  and  said  compensation 
shall  be  audited  and  allowed,  and  paid  by  the  township  for  which  he  was  appointed, 
the  same  as  if  he  had  been  appointed  by  the  board  of  auditors  of  said  town;  and  his 
duties  shall  be  the  same,  and  the  board  of  town  auditors  or  county  board  may 
appoint  so  many  assistant  commissioners  as  they  may  deem  necessary  to  thoroughly 
perform  the  duties  in  any  town,  which  assistants  shall  receive  the  same  compensa- 
tion for  like  services  as  the  commissioner,  and  whose  duties  shall  be  the  same,  and 
the  commissioner  of  Canada  and  Russian  thistles  or  assistants  refusing  or  neglecting 
to  perform  their  respective  duties  shall  be  fined  in  a  sum  not  less  than  ten  dollars  nor 
more  than  one  hundred  dollars  for  each  offense,  such  fine  to  be  sued  for  in  any  court 
of  competent  jurisdiction  in  the  name  of  the  town  on  complaint  of  any  land  owner 
of  the  town;  said  fine  when  collected  to  be  paid  to  the  supervisor  or  county  commis- 
sioner and  become  a  part  of  the  town  or  precinct  fund. 

SECTION  9.  Whereas,  Canada  and  Russian  thistles  are  now  growing  in  various 
parts  of  the  state,  requiring  attention  before  the  first  day  of  July,  therefore  an 
emergency  exists,  and  this  act  shall  take  effect  and  be  in  force  from  and  after  its 
passage. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

Free  use  has  been  made  of  the  following  references  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  this  bulletin.  The  list  contains  data  concerning  most  of  the  im- 
portant articles  published  in  North  America  on  this  subject.  As  a  rule 
no  attempt  has  been  made  to  include  the  numerous  articles  appearing 


IO6  BULLETIN    NO.    39.  [April, 

in  our  various  news  and  agricultural  papers.  Newspaper  notices  re- 
garding the  introduction  of  the  plant  in  different  localities  of  the  state, 
however,  have  been  given  as  far  as  known. 

ARTHUR,  J.  C.  Wild  or  Prickly  Lettuce.  Bull.  Ind.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  52:  83-85. 
pi.  4.  N.  1894. 

Notes  appearance  of  Russian  thistle  in  northern  Indiana. 

BERGEN,  F.  D.  Popular  American  Plant-names.  III.  Bot.  Gaz.  19:  437.  16 
N.  1894. 

Gives  two  common  names  of  Salsola  Kali  Tragus. 

BESSEY,  C.  E.  Russian  Thistle.  Ann.  Rep.  Neb.  State  Bd.  Agr.  1892:  209. 
f.  jt.  1893. — (Reprinted  in  Contributions  Bot.  Dep.  Uni.  Neb.  N.  S.  5:  209.  f.  J.  27 
Je.  1893.) 

Makes  notes  on  this  plant  as  a  weed  of  Nebraska. 

BESSEY,  C.  E.  The  so-called  "Russian  Thistle."  Am.  Nat.  28:  427-430.  pi. 
10.  My.  1894. 

Gives  a  general  account  of  the  plant  and  its  distribution. 

BESSEY,  C.  E.  The  Weeds  of  Nebraska.  Ann.  Rep.  Neb.  State  Bd.  Agr. 
1891:  123-124.  1892. 

Gives  botanical  description  with  note  on  occurrence  of  Russian  thistle. 

BESSEY,  C.  E.  The  Russian  Thistle  in  Nebraska.  Bull.  Neb.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta. 
31:  67-77.  pt-  *-5-  20  D.  1893.  [map.] — (Revised  reprint  in  Ann.  Rep.  Neb.  State  Bd. 
Agr.  1893:  83-94.  1894. — Extracted  revised  reprint  ,in  Contributions  Bot.  Dep.  Uni. 
Neb.  N.  S.  8:  83-94.  27  My.  1894.) 

Presents  a  general  treatment  of  the  plant. 

BESSEY,  C.  E.  Weeds  of  Nebraska.  Ann.  Rep.  Neb.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  7:  11-12. 
1894. 

Notes  distribution  of  Russian  thistle  in  that  state. 

BOLLEY,  H.  L.  Russian  Cactus.  Press  Bull.  N.  Dak.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  i.  O. 
1893- 

Presents  notes  on  distribution  of  the  plant  in  that  state,  together  with  methods 
for  preventing  its  further  spread. 

BUDD,  J.  L.  The  Russian  Thistle  in  its  Natal  Home.  Bull.  la.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta 
26:  30-33.  1894. 

Gives  an  account  of  the  plant  as  seen  by  the  writer  during  a  visit  to  Russia  in 
1882. 

CLINTON,  G.  P.     New  Localities.     Bot.  Gaz.  19:  415.     17  O.  1894. 

Notes  some  localities  of  Russian  thistle  in  Illinois. 

CLINTON,  G.  P.     Russian  Thistle.     Ogle  County  Press,  Polo,  111.     18  Ag.  1894. 

Reports  the  plant  as  occurring  at  Polo. 

CLINTON,  G.  P.  The  Russian  Thistle.  The  Daily  Inter-Ocean,  Chicago,  111. 
13  S.  1894. 

Gives  a  general  account  of  the  plant,  with  list  of  infested  localities  known  in 
Illinois. 

COULTER,  J.  M.  Salsola  Kali  Tragus  (L.)  Moq.  Mem.  Torr.  Bot.  Club.  5: 
144.  27  Ap.  1894.  [Sig.  10] — (Reprinted  in  List  of  Peteridophyta  and  Spermatophyta 
growing  without  Cultivation  in  Northeastern  N.  Amer. :  144.) 

Lists  this  variety. 

COVILLE,  F.  V.     Russian  Thistle.     Rep.  Sec.  Agr.  1893:  243.     1894. 

Notes  damage  caused  by  this  plant  and  its  distribution. 

CRAIG,  M.  Five  Farmers'  Foes.  Bull.  Or.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  32:  113-116.  pi. 
N.  1894. 

Contains  a  short  description  of  the  Russian  thistle. 


1895-]  THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE.  107 

CRANDALL.  C.  S.  The  Russian  Thistle.  Bull.  Colo.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  28:  1-12. 
/.  i,  2.  pi.  1-4.  S.  1894. 

Presents  a  general  account  of  the  plant  and  of  its  occurernce  in  Colorado. 

DEWEY,  L.  H.  Difference  between  the  Common  Saltwort  and  the  Russian 
Thistle.  Bot.  Gaz.  18:  275.  Jl.  1893. 

Gives  De  Candolle's  original  description  of  the  Russian  thistle,  and  adds  other 
characters  useful  in  distinguishing  it  from  the  saltwort. 

DEWEY,  L.  H.  Index  to  Papers  on  the  Russian  Thistle.  The  Grange  Visitor, 
Mich.  15  N.  1894. 

Gives  a  list  of  twenty-five  papers  published  in  N.  Amer.  on  the  subject. 

DEWEY,  L.  H.  The  Russian  Thistle,  and  Other  Troublesome  Weeds  in  the 
Wheat  Region  of  Minnesota  ancl  North  and  South  Dakota.  Farmers'  Bull.  U.  S. 
Dep.  Agr.  10:  i-ib.  //.  /,  2.  Ap.  ,1893. — (Abstracted  in  Rep.  Sec.  Agr.  1892: 
213,  214.  pi.  9.  1893.) 

Presents  one  of  the  first  important  papers  published  in  this  country  on  the  plant 

DEWEY,  L.  H.  The  Russian  Thistle,  its  History  as  a  Weed  in  the  United  States, 
with  an  Account  of  the  Means  available  for  its  Eradication.  Bull.  U.  S.  Dep.  Agr. 
Div.  Bot.  15:  1-26  //.  1-3.  1894.  [Maps.] 

Presents  a  very  thorough  treatment  of  the  subject. 

DEWEY,  L.  H.  The  Russian  Thistle.  Pamphlet,  U.  S.  Dep.  Agr.  Div.  Bot.: 
1-8.  /.  1-3.  Ja.  1895. 

Gives  a  general  account  of  the  plant,  including  its  present  distribution  in  N. 
Amer. 

DRURY,  E.  Noxious  Weeds  of  Manitoba  and  how  to  destroy  them.  Special 
Bull.  Manitoba  Dep.  Agr.  Immi:  11-12.  1894. 

Gives  note  on  Russian  thistle. 

EDITOR  THE  NOR'-WEST  FARMER.  The  Russian  Thistle.  The  Nor'-  West  Farmer, 
13:  33L  332.  D.  1893. 

Treats  of  distribution  of  Russian  thistle,  etc. 

EDITOR  THE  NOR'-WEST  FARMER.  A  Dangerous  Weed.  The  Nor' -West  Farmer. 
II:  238.  S.  1892.  [Illust.] 

Treats  of  the  Russian  thistle. 

EDITORS  CENTURY  DICTIONARY.     Salsola.     The  Century  Dictionary,  5:  5317. 

Notes  Salsola  Kali,  so-called  there,  as  occurring  sparingly  inland  in  the  United 
States. 

EDITORS  NEB.  BOT.  SEMINAR.  Additions  to  the  Reported  Flora  of  Nebraska 
Made  during  1893.  Rep.  Bot.  Surv.  Neb.  1893:  16.  18  Je.  1894. 

Correct  name  Salsola  Kali  to  Salsola  Kali  Tragus. 

ELDER,  J.,  RUTHERFORD,  J.  G.,  and  GREIG,  G.  H.  Noxious  Weeds  of  Manitoba 
and  how  to  destroy  them.  Special  Bull.  Manitoba  Dep.  Agr.  Immi:  35-40.  1894. 
[Illust.] 

Give  a  general  account  of  the  plant. 

FLETCHER,  J.  The  [Russian  Thistle,  or  Russian  Tumble-Weed.  Can.  Dep. 
Agr.  Central  Exp.  Farm  Notes,  4:  i-6,/.  1-3.  Ag.  1894. 

Notes  introduction  of  the  plant  into  Manitoba,  and  gives  a  short  account  of  the 
pest. 

FLETCHER,  J.c  Tumble  Weeds.  Can.  -Dep.  Agr.  Ann.  Rep.  Exp.  Farms,  1893: 
192-193.  /.  28-30.  1894. 

Gives  short  account  of  Russian  thistle. 

GOFF,  E.  S.  Noxious  Weeds.  Bull.  Wis.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  39:  4,  31-38.  f .17-19. 
Ap.  1894. 

Gives  a  general  account  of  the  plant. 


IO8  BULLETIN    NO.    39.  [April, 

GOFF,  E.  S.    The  Russian  Thistle.     Bull.  Wis.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  37:  1-13.    pi.  1-3. 
O.  1893. 

Presents  an  account  of  the  characters,  troublesomeness,  etc.,  of  the  plant. 

HAYS,  W.  M.     The  Russian  Thistle.      Farm,  Stock   and  Home,  9:   448,    449. 
/.  f-j.     i  N.  1893. 

Gives  an  account  of  the  plant  with  suggestions  as  how  best  to  prevent  future 
trouble  from  it. 

HAYS,  W.  M.     The  Russian  Thistle,  or  Russian  Tumble  Weed.     Bull.  Minn. 
Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  33:  1-16.    /.  1-3.     Jl.  1894. 

Gives  a  general  account  of  the  plant  and  methods  for  eradicating  it. 

HIGLEY,  W.  K.  and  RADDIN,  C.  S.     The  Flora   of  Cook  County,  Illinois,  and  a 
Part  of  Lake  County,  Indiana.     Bull.  Chicago,  Aca.  Sci.  221:  98,  155.     1891. 

List  Salsola  Kali,  then  so-called,  in  certain  places  in  the  above  counties. 

HIGLEY,  W.  K.  and  HILL,   E.  J.     Russian  Thistle  in  Chicago.     The   Tribune, 
Chicago,  111.     30  Ag.  1894. 

Report,  at  meeting  of  Academy  of  Science,  several  localities  in  the  city  where 
the  plant  had  been  found. 

HILL,  E.  J.     Notes  on  the  Flora  of  Chicago  and  Vicinity.     Bot.  Gaz.   17:   248 
Ag.  1892. 

Presents  notes  on  Salsola  Kali,  so-called,  as  to  its  introduction  and  distribution 
in  vicinity  of  Chicago. 

HILL,  E.  J.     Salsola  Kali  Tragus.     Bot.  Gaz.  19:  506-507.     26  D.  1894. 

Gives  note  on  introduction  and  spread  of  Russian  thistle  in  vicinity  of  Chicago. 

HITCHCOCK,  A.  S.     Additions  to  the  Iowa  Flora.     Bull.  Torr.  Bot.  Club  16:  70. 
8  Mr.  1889. 

Lists  Salsola  Kali,  so-called  then,  from  Iowa. 

MACMILLAN,  C.     The  Metaspermae  of  the  Minnesota  Valley.     Geol.  and  Nat. 
Hist.  Surv.  Minn.  Bot.  i:  213.     29  D.  1892. 

Lists  Salsola  Kali,  as  then  called. 

MORROW,  G.  E.     The  Russian  Thistle.     The  Daily  Gazette,  Champaign,  111.     18 
Ag.  1894. 

Reports  the  finding  of  the  Russian  thistle  at  St.  Charles,  111.,  by  E.  C.  Cook. 

MORROW,  G.  E.     The  Russian  Thistle  in   Illinois.       The  Breeder's  Gazette  26: 
131-132.     29  Ag.  1894. 

Notes  several  Illinois  localities  for-the  plant  as  reported  to  the  Experiment  Sta- 
tion. 

MORROW,  G.  E.     The  Russian  Thistle  in  Illinois.     Bull.  111.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta   35: 
421-424.  pi.  1-2.     S.  1894. 

Gives  a  general  account  of  the  plant  and  its  introduction  into  Illinois. 

PAMMEL,  L.  H.     A  Species  of  Pigweed.     The  Orange  Judd  Farmer  16:  50.     28 
Jl.   1894. 

Has  in  the  article  a  note  on  the  finding  of  the  Russian  thistle  at  Turner,  111. 

PAMMEL,   L.   H.     Some  Obnoxious  Weeds  of  Iowa.     Ann.  Rep.  la.   Agr.   Soc. 
i893:  436-442.  //.  1-2.     1894. 

Gives  law  of  Iowa  against  Russian  thistle,  together  with  an  account  of  the  plant. 

PAMMEL,  L.  H.     Botany  of  Russian  Thistle.     Bull.  la.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  26:  8-25. 
//.  i,  2,  7-9.     1894. 

Presents  a  general,  technical  and  anatomical  description  of  the  plant,  and  briefly 
describes  some  plants  likely  to  be  mistaken  for  it. 

PATRICK,   G.  E.     Report  of  the  Chemist.     Bull.   la.  Agr.   Exp.  Sta.  26:  26  29. 
1894. 

Gives  a  report  of  chemical  analyses  made  of  Russian  thistles  of  different  ages. 

PAYNE,  E.  W.     The  Breeders'   Gazette  26:  191.      19  S.  1894. 

Notes  the  finding  of  two  Russian  thistles  near  Morrison,  111. 


l8g5«]  THE    RUSSIAN    THISTLE.  109 

POWER,  J.  B.  Bulletin  on  the  Russian  Cactus.  Ann.  Rep.  N.  Dak.  Agr.  Exp. 
Sta.  4:  18-20.  1894. 

Gives  notes  on  Russian  thistle  quoted  largely  from  bulletin  by  Prof.  Bolley. 

RADDIN,  C.  S.  Catalogue  of  the  Phaenogaraous  Plants  of  Evanston  and  Vicinity. 
Pamphlet  Biol.  Lab.  Northwestern  Uni.:  21.  1883. 

Lists  Salsola  Kali,  the  identity  of  which  is  not  now  definitely  known. 

ROSE,  J.  N.  Two  New  Weeds  for  the  United  States.  Bot.  Gaz.  16:  262. 
S.  1891. 

Reports  Russian  cactus  as  a  pest  in  wheat  fields  of  N.  Dak. 

ROSE,  J.  N.  Two  Weeds  New  to  the  United  States.  Rep.  Sec.  Agr.  l89i: 
356-357. //.  10.  1892. 

Notes  Salsola  Kali  Tragus  as  a  weed  pest  in  the  northwest. 

SELBY,  A.  D.  The  Russian  Thistle  in  Ohio.  Journ.  Columbus  Hort.  Soc. 
9:  127-132.  pi.  6,  7.  S.  1894. 

Gives  a  short  account  of  this  plant. 

SELBY,  A.  D.  The  Russian  Thistle.  Emergency  Poster  Sup.  Bull.  Ohio.  Agr. 
Exp.  Sta.  55:  //.  /-j.  1894. 

Notes  the  introduction  of  the  Russian  Thistle  in  Ohio. 

SELBY,  A.  D.  The  Russian  Thistle  in  Ohio.  Bull.  Ohio  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  55:53-58. 
pi.  1-3.  F.  1895. 

Gives  a  general  account  of  the  plant. 

SHIPLEY,  W.  T.  Noxious  Weeds  of  Manitoba  and  how  to  destroy  them.  Special 
Bull.  Manitoba  Dep.  Agr.  Immi. :  17,  18.  1894. 

Gives  a  brief  account  of  the  Russian  thistle. 

SNYDER,  H.  The  Russian  Thistle,  and  its  Food  Value  and  Draft  upon  the  Soil. 
Bull.  Minn.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  34:  34-36.  S.  1894. 

Presents  notes  on  chemical  analyses  made  to  determine  food  value  of  the  plant 
for  stock. 

STEVENS,  W.  C.  The  Russian  Thistle,  Russian  Cactus,  or  Russian  Tumbleweed, 
its  Character,  Presence  in  Kansas  and  Suggestions  for  its  Extermination.  Pamphlet 
Kansas  State  Bd.  Agr.:  1-15. //.  /-j.  Ag.  1894. 

Edits  a  general  account  of  the  plant. 

WATSON,  S.  and  COULTER,  J.  M.  Salsola  Kali.  Gray's  Man.  Bot.:  734.  1890. 
[6th  ed.] 

List  Salsola  Kali,  so-called  then,  from  Iowa,  Dakota,  Nebraska. 

WAUGH,  R.  Noxious  Weeds  of  Manitoba  and  how  to  destroy  them.  Special 
Bull.  Manitoba  Dep.  Agr.  Immi.:  27.  1894. 

Gives  note  on  Russian  thistle. 

WEBBER,  H.  J.  Catalogue  of  the  Flora  of  Nebraska.  Ann.  Rep.  State  Bd. 
Agr.  1889:  253.  1890. — (Extracted,  Rep.  Bot.  Neb.:  113.  1890.) 

Lists  Salsola  Kali,  so-called  then. 

WHEELER,  C.  F.  The  Russian  Thistle.  Press  Bull.  Mich.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  5. 
Ag.  1894. 

Notes  introduction  of  the  plant  in  Michigan. 

WILLIAMS,  N.  The  Russian  Thistle,  a  Brief  Account  of  the  New  Pest  of  the 
Northwest,  with  approved  Methods  of  combating  it,  and  containing  the  Report  of 
the  Cactus  Committee  appointed  by  the  Governor  at  the  La  Moure  Meeting,  Nov.  9, 
1893.  N.  Dak.  State  Com.  Agr.  Labor:  1-15.  //.  1-4.  Ag.  1894. 

WILLIAMS,  T.  A.  The  Russian  Thistle.  Press  Bull.  S.  Dak.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta. 
1893. 

Gives  a  short  account  of  the  pest  as  occurring  in  South  Dakota. 


IIO  BULLETIN    NO.    39.  [April, 

WILSON,  J.     The  Russian  Thistle.     Bull.  la.  Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  26:  3-7.     1894. 
Includes  results  of  sowing  the  plant  on  different  kinds  of  land. 
VASEY,  G.     Investigation  of  Weeds.     Rep.  Sec.  Agr.  l892:  203.     1893. 
Notes  appointment  of  agent  to  investigate  the  Russian  thistle. 

G.  P.  CLINTON,  M.  S., 

Assistant  Botanist. 


EXPLANATION    OF    ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Fig.  i.  Mature  plant  of  Russian  thistle.  From  illustration  used  by  Wis.  Exp. 
Sta. 

Fig.  2.  Details  of  Russian  thistle,  a.  Flowering  branch,  b.  Germinating 
plant,  c.  Relation  of  bracts  and  flower,  d.  Flower  showing  wings  of  calyx,  e. 
Fruit  or  seed.  f.  Coiled  embryo  removed  from  seed.  From  illustrations  used  by 
U.  S.  Dep.  Agr. 

Fig.  3.     Small  plant  showing  winter  appearance.     Collected  at  Wolf  Lake,  111. 

Fig.  4.     Details  of  Fig.  3. 

Fig.  5.  Plants  germinated  indoors,  a.  Plants  two  weeks  old,  showing  slender 
caulicle  with  cotyledons,  b.  Plant  several  weeks  old. 

Fig.  6.  Slender  specimens  of  Russian  thistle  collected  at  Polo,  111.,  during  latter 
part  of  August,  1894. 

Fig.  7.     A  part  of  a  plant  of  the  saltwort  found  along  the  coast  in  the  east. 

Fig.  8.  Map  showing  distribution  of  the  Russian  thistle  in  North  America,  so 
far  as  known  at  the  U.  S.  Dep.  Agr.,  Feb.  26,  1895. 

Fig.  9.  Map  showing  distribution  of  Russian  thistle  in  northern  Illinois,  as  far 
as  known  at  this  Exp.  Sta. 

Fig.  10.     Pressed  specimen  of  winged  pigweed  showing  the  flowering  stage. 

Fig.  ii.     Pressed  specimen  showing  part  of  a  thorny  amaranth. 

Fig.  12.  Pressed  specimen  showing  leaves,  spiny  stem,  and  fruit  of  part  of  a 
horse-nettle. 

Fig.  13.     Pressed  specimen  showing  flower  heads  and  leaves  of  Canada  thistle. 

Fig.  14.     Mature  tumbleweed. 

Fig.  15.     Details  of  Fig.  14. 

Fig.  16.     Pressed  specimen  of  the  sand-bur. 

Fig.  17.     Fruit  details  of  Fig.  16. 

Fig.  18.  Prickly  lettuce,  a.  Ordinary  form.  b.  Form  with  several  stems  result- 
ing from  mowing  the  plant  earlier  in  the  season. 

Fig.  19.     Details  of  Fig.  18. 


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